As you go through scripture you should find that the term ‘wicked’ is never used to reference a blood bought child of God. We are called many things but ‘wicked’ is not one of them.

What is at stake here is the definition of a carnal Christian, which is very different from that promoted today.

I will get into this in more detail in future posts.

Lee I think the term wicked is being used to describe a brother who is participating in blatant sin.

In 1st Cor 3:1-4 I understand Paul is referring to some who are saved as being carnal. Among those who were saved all these disgraceful things were happening right? Thats were it gets harder for me to understand I guess. That is why I believe the wicked brother could be saved. What is the difference between the wicked brother’s wicked sins and the rest of the saints’s sins that Paul rebuked them for? Hope that question makes sense.

Wasnt the whole church carnal, including those who are saved? This brings me to Solomon, how and why could he continue in his sin if he was a child of God, which he was? I hope its not a silly question, but I would be grateful for your thoughts Lee.

You say, “Does telling a lie make one a liar? No! Does having fears make one fearful? No. What about coveting? Otherwise by Rev 21:8 there will not be one person saved, for who among us has not ever shaded the truth or been apprehensive since we were saved? Not one. ” Please explain this further. I have to be honest I find this hard to understand because I know that I am guity of some of these sins after I was saved, but then why does the bible emphasize that those who practice these sins will not inherit the Kingdom of God??? Yet to some degree even those who are saved still commit the sins….

Just want to add, thank you so much for this blog Lee. The Lord has given you a gift in teaching the Word. I am learning so much, your blogs always give me much to ponder on…your ministry is a blessing.

Another thought is this whole think of a carnal christian…is there such a thing? Then what should prevent me from being carnal if it doesn’t matter?

Vs 13 defines who the group of people referred to in vs 11. ‘…Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.’ The whole context is dealing with those who are ‘called’ one thing but actually ‘are’ another thing. The children of the world are excluded from this judgment in the first part of verse 13.

There are many terms used to describe children of God, but I know of no verse in scripture where a child of God is ever referred to as ‘wicked’.
Many of the same titles used in 1Cor 5:11 are used in 2Cor 6:9-10 where it clearly states that those who ‘are’ these things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Therefore the putting away here is the putting away of someone merely mascarading as a child of God.

If we go back to verse 5:5 it refers to the salvation of these people as yet future. ‘That the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus’ What this whole chapter is designed to do is cause the salve of religion to be removed from these people so they can see who they truly are, and perhaps truly be saved.

Does telling a lie make one a liar? No! Does having fears make one fearful? No. What about coveting? Otherwise by Rev 21:8 there will not be one person saved, for who among us has not ever shaded the truth or been apprehensive since we were saved? Not one.

Again it comes down to not what you do, but who you are, and this is exactly why this type of discernment is so necessary. I think you might find part II interesting.

Mike, same here… Its hard even to type. My baby keeps turning the computer off!

Moving forward to 6:9-11
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Why would Paul use this reminder if they all were believers…note…’as such were some of you’ . Compare this to 1 Peter 4:1-3. I know that we all would agree that we should be holy as He is holy, and live no longer like the gentiles live, so outward holiness doesn’t mean a true convert, however the proof is in the pudding, once the one has been put out I believe that would be the indication of whether they are truly converted or not by delivering the one to satan for the destruction of his flesh (vs5).

I too am not a theologian and a articulate student of the word…but thankfully God uses the foolish to confound the wise. This is good for me to discuss difficult passages for me with others. I always feel sharpened in these sort of discussion even if someone disagrees with me. I always take what the other person is saying back to my desk and study it….because I could be wrong.

Hope this makes sense what I am trying to say…hard to concentrate when my little one likes to come in and check on me periodically; I lose my place. But its so sweet though…

mike

In verse 11, I think think the text is just saying in general of the sins that they used to be involved in the sins mentioned before they came to salvation. Which is most likely true for you and me and everyone who is saved. I think verse 11 is actually what clarifies that Paul is rebuking true brothers who have gone back to the life they used to live before salvation. But he is reminding them that they are now washed and sanctified, so they can not go back to live the life they used to before salvation. In 2nd Cor 7:2-12 indicates that the Corinthians did repent after Paul’s rebuke, which to me is evident that these people where true brothers, of course they may have been some among them who were false. So with 1 Cor 6:11, I do disagree with you Lee.

Anyway I hope I explained that clearly. Half the time what I want to say comes out wrong, but inside I know what I mean. Frustrating. This discussion has been most helpful and gives me a lot to think about. Hope you will clarify more in Part two Lee…

But then we also know from scripture that Christians can fall and live a life of blantant sin, it is possible, though a true saint is not meant to stay in that condition. That is why I believe this brother who is sinning is a true saint, though it says he is NAMED or CALLED a brother, that is not to say he is not a true brother. Taking the whole chapter in context as well as what follows in 2nd Corinthians, I believe its talking about a true saint who has fallen.

Again as I said I could be wrong here, I need to do more studying I suppose…But I do agree with you Lee that we can not look for proffesion of faith and holy living to discern our brothers and sisters in Christ. I am looking forward to your Part 2 Lee!

Your right it never says that this person was a brother, but those who NAMEd, or CALLED themselves a brother. Interesting note in the second book of Corinthians in chapter six. Paul tells them to be separate and called out, what does light have to do with darkness?

Have some more thoughts on discernment within the body…hurry back!

Here is a good hint though, notice the ‘called’ and ‘be’

“But now I have writtten unto you not to keep company, if any man that is CALLED a brother BE a……”

That verse is about those pretending to be Christians. They are ‘called’ such a thing, but ‘are’ something else. If we consider the ‘were’ in 1 Cor 6:11, we should see there is a difference between ‘doing’ some of those things and ‘being’ some of those things.

More on this later….